Mail-box



E. E. QETTINGER.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1. l9l6.

1,324,688. Patented Dec. 9,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

E. E. IOEHINGER.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I. I916- Patented Dec. 9, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE,

EDWARD E. OETTINGER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MAIL-BOX.

Application filed April 1, 1916. Serial No. 88,283.

To'all whom 2'25 may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD E. OETTINGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Boxes, of which the following is a specification. I 1

This invention relates to mail boxes.

The present mail box is particularly designed for use in apartments, although not thus restricted. Mail boxes which are set into the wall, such as are used in apartments, are of limited capacity and usually of only suiiicient width to accommodate letter'mail. WVith letter mail, however, it is often necessary to insert an implement of some character to turn the letters so that theedges thereof may be grasped to pull the mail out of the box. When booklets, magazines, catalogues and the like are stufi'ed into the box, the mail matter becomes so tightly wedged in that it is extremely diilicult to remove it.

The foregoing diiiioulties incident to the ordinary apartment mail box are intended to be overcome by the present invention which has for one of its objects the provision of a flap or closure for the mail-receiving slot or opening which cooperates with the door in such manner that the upper edge of the door forms the lower edge of the opening or slot, when closed, and-when the door is opened, the flap is so positioned that a much higher door opening is provided than in mail boxes which have a separate slot and flap and bar or strip of the face-plate or" the box interposed between said slot and the top of the door opening.

Another object is to provide an improved ejector cooperating with the door which is adapted to turn letter mail edgewise when the door is opened, thus enabling the mail matter to be readily grasped without the use of an implement.

A still further object is to provide an improved ejector adapted for handmanipulation to loosen and pull to the front of the box heavy mail matter such as magazines, catalogues, booklets and the like, and which, in turn, is covered by the door when the latter is closed.

Further objects are the provision of an im- Patented Dec. 9,1919,

means at the top for the hinging of the closure or flap for the slot.

Among the other objects of my invention are an improved construction-of the body of the box for the guiding, support and ac commodation of the mail ejecting means;

also, to permit the box and face-plate to so fit together and cooperate that no obstruction will be ofiered to the withdrawal of the mail matter either at the bottom, sides, or top of the door opening.- I r In respectto the flap, my object is to provide means whereby the horizontally when the door is opened to thus expose the full door space, and when the box is closed and mail matter is inserted, to enable the flap to'be movedinwardly to a substantially horizontal. position to afford easy insertion of-any mail matter.

The invention also I embodies improved details of construction and combination of parts appearing more fully hereinafter.

One embodiment of the invention is set forth hereinafter and disclosed in the accom= panying drawings as'illustrativeof the invention, but it is not to be deemed as restrictive thereof, inasmuch asn odifications may be resorted to. r

In the accompanying drawings: 7 j

V Figure 1 is a perspective, the door and flap beino open, certain parts being in dotted lines and others broken away;

Fig. 2, a front elevation, the door flap beingclosed;

F i 3 a vertical section the door bein c 7 a V to closed;

Fig. at, a detail elevation of the flap; Fig. 5, a detail perspective of the magazine and catalogue ejector;

Fig. 6, a similar view of the flap spring; Fig. 7, a detail elevation of one of the door hinges; 1

Fig. 8, a detail horizontal section thereof;

flap may open out Fig. 9, a detail of the connection between the door and the letter. ejector;

Fig. 10, a detail of one of the bearings for the flap or closure;

Fig. 11, a detail showing how'thefinger may be placed on the door instead of on the flap; i r

Figs. 12 and 13, detail views'of the hinge for the finger of Fig.11, and Fig. 14:, a detail of a modification embodying the hinged finger of Fig. 11.

The brass face or front plate is shown at 1, the tin or metal box body at 2, the door appearing at The opening 4 serves both for the door and for the elongated mail-receiving slot P, the latter comprising that part of the opening which lies above the upper edge 5 of the door, the closing flap being shown at 6 which is of such length that it is just adapted to clear the side margin of the opening 4? so that it may swing outwardly to a substantially horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1, under the influence of the spring mechanism comprising the wire 7 whose ends pass upwardly through holes in the top of the box 2 and are then bent down on top of the box, as at 7.

A spring wire 9 coiled around the wire 7 cooperates with the flap 6 and with the top of the box 2. To limit the upward swing of the flap, there is provided a lip 1.0 which is an integral part of the metal at the upper margin of the opening at. The flap (3 is provided with an outwardly and down wardly curved finger 11 which is adapted to be first engaged by the door when the latter is closed to cause closing of the flap 6. When the flap is pushed inwardly, on the insertion of mail matter, it may lie substantially flat against the top of the box 2, and to accommodate the finger 11 there is provided a slot 12 in the top of the box through which the finger 11 then projects. The flap thus enables easy insertion of mail matter and, with the openings i, 5 gives a full exposure of the door opening for the removal of mail matter from the box 2, whereas in mail boxes heretofore known, there is a separate slot above the door opening and a rigid bar integral with the l'ace plate intermediate said slot and the door opening, necessarily limiting the size of the door opening.

Instead of providing a finger 11 on the flap 6 only, a finger 11 may be used on the door 3 and will be adapted to engage the finger 11, the latter being then considerably shorter and only slightly curved. The finger 11 may be fixed, or hinged, the latter construction being shown in Figs. 11, 12, 13, 1% where the door is provided with bent eyes 11 and a stop 11 which prevents finger 11" from moving outwardly. The finger 11 has a bent eye l1 pivoted to eyes 11 by pin 11*.

The trunnions 13 which are an integral part of the flap or closure 6, are received in the notches 14 in the upper edges of the inturned flanges 15 at the side margins of the door opening 4. The box 2 has its top resting on the upper edges of the flanges 15 flush with the upper margin of the opening 4 thereby affording a smooth finish at this point so that the mail matter will not be obstructed when being removed furthermore. the trunnions 13 are thus retained in the notches 14:. The box 2 also fits snugly against the rear face of the face-plate 1 at a slight distance from the margin of the door opening a. At the lower margin of the door opening a the metal of the face-plate 1 is turned inwardly in the form of. a downwardly inclined flange 16 which abuts the bottom of the box 2 and thus enables the mail matter to be readily removed, Without obstruction at this point.

If preferred, the speaking tube 17 may be provided suiiiciently low down in the face plate 1 so that its lower edge will serve as a stop for the flap 6, in which event, the lip 10 may be omitted.

The door 3 is provided with integral headed ofiset hinge members 18, Figs. 7, 8, which are received in slots 19 provided in faceplate 1. After the headed hinge members 18 are inserted in the slots 19, the walls of the latter may be closed to prevent detachment of the hinge members. Connected to the door, preferably in the manner shown in Fig. 9, by the bent hook 20 which is an integral part of the lower edge of the door, is an arc-shaped ejector bar 22 which has a slot 21 receiving the hook 20. The ejector bar 22 is adapted to move through, and be guided by, a notch 23 in the face-plate 1 and lip or flange 16 so that the bar lies substantially fiat on the bottom of the box 2. Carried by the bar 22 is a T-shaped ejector 2a which is adapted to pass through a correspondingly shaped slot 25 in the rear of the box 2 when the door 3 is closed. The ejector 24: is located toward the front in relation to the rear end of the bar 22 so that when the ejector 24: is completely outside of the door opening 4, the rear end of the ejector bar 22 will still remain in the notch or slot 23 and thus guide and support the ejector bar to prevent it from becoming detached. When the door is closed, the inner end of the ejector bar 22 and the ejector 2% lie in the space in the wall back of the box 2. The ejector mechanism just described is adapted to engage the lower part of letter mail at the extreme rear thereof and when the door is opened to turn the letter mail edgewise so that it can be readily asped for removal through thedoor opening i.

Secured to the lower left-hand corner, preferably, but not necessarily, is a guide 26 which has an under-cut or clove-tailed slot in which an ejector slide 27 having beveled edges is adapted to move. The slide 27 is hat and provided at its forward end with a finger-piece 28 which is adapted to be covered by the door 3, when the latter is closed, the lower end of the left-hand flange 15 being cut away to permit the finger-piece 28 to be thus positioned and to afi'ord an opening for the drawing out of the ejector slide 27. Suitably secured to the ejector slid 27 is an ejector 29 whose upper and vertiai edges are beveled to prevent catching on the mail,such construction being: shown as comprising notches 30 in the: upper and lower edges of the ejector 29; The-ejector slide 27. extends rearwardly from the ejector 29 through a slot 32 in-the rear of the box 2' and carries a stop pin 33' which is adapted to freely pass through the slot and over edges of guide 26 when the ejector slide 27 is. drawn out, and to engage the inner end ofthe flange 16 to limit the outward move ment of said parts. When the parts. are in normal position, the rear end of the slide 27 and the stop 38 are disposed in the space at the back of the box 2. The. ejector just described is of considerable strength so that it will be adapted to firmly engage and loosen any catalogues, magazines, or heavy mail matter which may be disposed in the boxand so wedged therein that it-is not easy to remove. Normally, the said ejector mechanism remains in closed position as it has no connection with the door 3, but on. open ing the door a slight distance, the finger piece 28 can be readily grasped for the purpose of manipulating the heavy mail matter.

An ordinary electric bell push button 34 may be'located in the face-plate 1 below the door opening 4.

raving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mail box having an unobstructed door opening, the combination with a flap or closure for a part of said unobstructed door opening, of a door for said opening which is adapted, when closed, to engage the flap or closure, the door opening serving for both the introduction and removal of the mail matter.

2. In a mail box having an unobstructed door opening, the combination with a flap or closure for the upper portion thereof, of a door for said unobstructed opening which is adapted, when closed, to engage the flap or closure, the door opening serving for both the introduction and removal of the mail matter.

3. In a mail box havin an unobstructed door opening, the combination with a hinged flap or closure adapted to swing outwardly through said unobstructed door opening and inwardly into the mail box, of a door for said opening which is adapted, when closed, to engage the flap or closure, the door opening serving for both the introduction and removal of the mail matter. I

a. In a mail box having a door opening, the combination with hinged flap or closure adapted to swing outwardly through said door opening and inwardly into the mail box, of spring means adapted to pro jest the flap or closure through the door opening when the door is opened, and to hold the flap or closure yieldingly against the door when. the latter is closed, and a door. adapted to: close: saidflap and to retain.

it in closed. position, subject to inward open- 5. In a mail box havinga door opening, the combination with a hinged flap or closure adapted to swing; outwardly through said dooiiopening andinwardly into the .mail box, 01" spring meansadapted to project the flap, or closure through the door opening when. the door. is. opened, to, hold the flap or closure yieldingly against the door when the latter is closed, a stop adapted to limit the outward swing of the flap, and a door adapted to closesaid flap and to retain it in closed position, subject to inward opening. i

6. .In av mail box having a door opening, the co'mbinationwith a hinged fiap adapted to swingoutwardly through the door opening or inwardly into the. box, of a wire or.

rod held by said box, a spring coiled around said wire or rod and engaged with the flap and with the box adapted to project the flap through the door opening when the door is open, and a door for said opening which is adapted to overlap'the fiap'when the door is closed.

f 7.. In. a mail box thecombination with. a box body anda face-plate having an unobstructed door opening, said box. body havingits top substantially flush with the upper margin of said .door opening, a swinging flap or closure adapted to open outwardly through the door opening and. to swing inwardly into-the box on an axis substantially at the upper margin of the door opening, and a door for said opening which is adapted to overlie the flap and hold the same against being opened outwardly.

8. A mailbox comprising abox body, a faceplate having a door opening, and flanges extending inwardly 'intothe box body at the side edges or margins of the door opening and provided with notchedupper ends, said box body having its top resting upon the notched upper ends of said flanges,a flap having trunnions or pivots journaled in said notched upper ends of the flanges, and a door for said opening.

9. A mail box comprising a box body, a face-plate having'a door opening, and flanges extending'inwardly into the box body at the side edges or margins of the door opening and provided with notched upper ends, said box body having its top resting upon the notched upper ends of said flanges, a flap the body and a horizontally swinging door thereof, of an arc-shaped horizontally movable ejector bar operatively connected to said door and provided with an ejector adapted to engage the mail matter.

11. In a mail box, the combination with the body and face-plate thereof, the latter having an inwardly and downwardly extending flange at the bottom of the door opening, of a door, an ejector bar slidable through and guided by the face-plate and inclined flange aforesaid, and an ejector carried by said bar, said ejector bar being connected to the door.

12. In a mail box, the combination with the box body, face-plate, and door, said box body having an opening in its wall, of an ejector bar connected to the door and adapted to rest upon the bottom of the box body, and an ejector carried by said bar in advance of the rear end thereof adapted to pass through the opening in the mail box body to the rear thereof when the door is closed.

13. In a mail box, the combination with the box body, face-plate, and door, said box body having an opening in its wall, of an ejector bar connected to the door and adapted to rest upon the bottom of the box bod and an ejector carried by said bar in a vance of the rear end thereof adapted to pass through the opening in the mail box body to the rear thereof when the door is closed, said face-plate having at the lower margin of its door opening a downwardly and inwardly extending flange leading to the bottom of the box body, said face-plate and flange having a guiding and supporting opening for said ejector bar.

14. A mail box having a swinging door and provided with an ejector rigidly connected to and moving with said door adapted to engage the rear of the mail matter to draw it toward the door opening.

15. A mail box having a door, and a handoperable ejector positioned at one side of the box adapted to engage with the rear of the mail matter at one side thereof and turn the same to present an edge to be grasped through the opening closed by the door to facilitate removal from the box, said ejector being operable independently of the door- 16. A mail box having a door, a handoperable ejector positioned at one side of the box adapted to engage with the rear of the mail matter at one side thereof and turn the same to present an edge to be grasped through the opening closed by the door to facilitate removal from the box, said ejector being operable independently of the door, and said door being adapted to cover and lock the ejector when the door is closed.

17. In a mail box, the combination with the box body and door thereof, of'two independent mail ejectors, one operatively eonnected to the door and the other being independent of the door and adapted for manual operation, to loosen heavy mail matter.

18. In a mail box, the combination with the box body and door thereof, of two independent mail ejectors, one operatively connected to the door and the other being adapted for manual operation, said ejectors being located in the lower portion of the mail box at one side thereof, one being adapted to loosen heavy mail matter, so that the other can Withdraw said mail matter, said second mentioned ejector being rendered inoperative by closing the door and said door being adapted to close over and lock the first mentioned ejector.

19. In a mail box, the combination with the box body and door thereof, said box body being constructed to receive mail matter to lie in a plane parallel with the door, of a guide, and a hand-operable mail ejector having a slide movable in said guide, an ejector member in the rear portion of the box connected to said slide to engage at the rear and with one side of mail matter within the box, and a finger-piece connected to the slide and located at the front portion of the box.

20. In a mail box, the combination with the box body and door thereof, said body being constructed to receive mail matterrto lie in a plane parallel with the door, of a guide, and a hand-operable mail ejector having a slide movable in said guide, an ejector member in the rear portion of the box connected to said slide to engage at the rear and with one side of mail matter within the box, and a finger-piece connected to the slide and located at the front portion of the box said finger-piece being arranged to be covered and locked by the door when the latter is closed.

21. In a mail box, the combination with the box body having a slot in a wall thereof,

and a guide, of a slide movable in said guide, and having a portion extending through the opening and provided with a stop which is adapted to limit the outward movement of the slide, an ejector member carried by the slide, and a finger-piece carried by the slide.

22. In a mail box, the combination with the box body, of a door for said box body, said door having a hook, and an ejector bar having a slot receiving said hook, said ejector bar being. provided with an ejector adapted to cooperate with the mail matter within the box.

23. In a mail box having a door opening, the combination with a flap or closure adapted .to swing outwardly, and inwardly into the mail box, of a door having a finger adapted to engage the flap for the purpose of closing the flap when the door is closed.

24. In a mail box having a door opening, the combination with a flap or closure adapted to swing outwardly, and inwardly into the mail box, said flap having a finger, of a the mail box, said flap having a finger, of a door having an inwardly swinging hinged 10 door having a finger adapted to engage the finger adapted to engage the finger of the finger of the flap for the purpose of closing flap for the purpose of closing the flap when 5 the flap when the door is closed. the door is closed.

25. In a mail box having a door opening In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my the combination with a flap or closure adaptsignature. ed to swing outwardly, and inwardly into EDWARD E. OETTINGER. 

